So many woks, so little time: Wok combinations you must try in Mumbai

By Junisha Dama Wok after wok, so many make-your-own-wok eateries have mushroomed in the city that it’s hard to keep track of the best combination. The trick to a good wok is to “opt for only one sauce and one protein,” says Aayush Agrawal, Director of Wok Express. We assume you know the drill: pick a base, protein, sauce, vegetables and garnish, so we’ll simply tell you what to combine. Wok Express, All Outlets [caption id=“attachment_2463436” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Wok Express. Image Credit Cryselle D’Souza[/caption] The wok place has let sushi, buns, sticky rice, dim sum and bubble teas jump on board as well, but the woks here are what all the noise is about. Vegetarian: Pair Flat Wheat Noodles with Chilli Basil sauce and add your favourite vegetables. Garnish with chilli flakes, peanuts and burnt garlic. Non-Vegetarian: Try the Ramen noodles with chicken and Teriyaki sauce. Pick your vegetables and garnish it with burnt garlic, fried onion and peanuts. Jain: Udon noodles with Kung Pao sauce, topped with chilli flakes and peanuts. You can opt for vegetables as per your choice and the eatery has six Jain sauces on offer. Price: Rs 190 for veg, Rs 210 for chicken/fish, Rs 240 for prawns (medium); Rs 250 for veg, Rs 280 for chicken/fish, Rs 310 for prawns (large) (inclusive of taxes) Wok In The Box, All Outlets [caption id=“attachment_2463438” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Wok In The Box. Image credit: Wok In The Box[/caption] The little woks-only eatery on Carter Road has gained quite a following. Watch your wok being made and sit on stools outside and gobble it away. Vegetarian: Pair Spinach Noodles with Paneer and opt for the Hot Black Bean Sauce. Pick your favourite vegetables, we recommend pak choi, mushrooms and baby corn as must-haves; and garnish it with peanuts. Non-Vegetarian: We recommend you try Brown Rice with Prawns in the Thai Sweet Chili sauce. The prawns in a spicy-sweet sauce will make you want to come back for more. Pick your vegetables and garnish with Sriracha Sauce for some extra spice. Jain: Unfortunately, the eatery has only one sauce that’s Jain. So pair Flat Wheat Noodles with the Sweet & Sour sauce, pick your vegetables, add Tofu for some protein and your wok is worth every bite. Price: Rs 180 for veg box, Rs 200 for non-veg box, Rs 220 for seafood (inclusive of taxes) Wok This Way, All Outlets [caption id=“attachment_2463440” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Wok this Way. Image Credit: Wok this Way[/caption] With two outlets in the city, Wok This Way serves more than just woks. But let’s just stick to a hot bowl for now. Vegetarian: Flat Noodles with Soya Nuggets and Chilli Willi sauce are the right combination if you’re looking for a spicy and healthy wok. Opt for vegetables and garnish off with Thai basil and chilli flakes. Non-Vegetarian: Wok Tossed Lamb with Udon Noodles in a subtly sweet Yaki Soba sauce – this wok variation is one of a kind as not all wok places offer lamb. Jain: With only one Jain sauce, your wok can be made with Steamed Rice in Soy Chili sauce and add some Paneer for protein. Pick your vegetables from bean sprouts, broccoli, chinese cabbage and more and garnish with red chillies and Thai basil. Price: Rs 160 for veg, Rs 200 for non-veg (regular), Rs 210 for veg, Rs 250 for non-veg (large) (inclusive of taxes) Wok This Way, Lower Parel [caption id=“attachment_2463442” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Wok This Way. Image Credit: Wok This Way[/caption] Not to be confused with the other Wok This Way, the Lower Parel wok-joint opposite Phoenix Mills has joined the vegetarian eateries around. So, you won’t find poultry or meat on the menu. Vegetarian: Soba Noodles in a tangy Korean-style Bulgogi sauce has sweetness from raspberries and tart from tamarind. Add Thai basil, bok choy, broccoli, bean sprouts for crunch and bamboo shoots. Add Momen Tofu as a protein and garnish off with fried cashews and chives. Jain: Marked with blue ‘J’, there are five Jain sauces on the menu. Opt for the Aki Miso sauce with Spinach Noodles with Cottage Cheese. Add baby corn, water chestnuts, zucchini, broccoli, red Thai chilli and garnish off with fried cashews and fried basil leaves. Price: Rs 199 for medium, Rs 249 for large (inclusive of taxes) Five Fat Monks, All Outlets [caption id=“attachment_2463422” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Five Fat Monks. Image Credit: Junisha Dama[/caption] The popular eatery with 3D-like interiors has no Jain options. It offers a variety of Asian food and some ready woks as well. However, if you’re still looking to make your own, here’s what to order. Vegetarian: Plain noodles with Tofu in a Black Pepper sauce makes for an apt combination. Add string green beans, mushrooms, pok choy and other vegetables; garnish off with peanuts or cashews and fried onion. Non-vegetarian: Flat noodles with prawns in a seafood XO sauce is one of the most popular combinations at the eatery. Add your desired vegetables and use Thai basil, fried garlic and peanuts as garnish. Price: Rs 275 for veg, Rs 295 for non-veg (inclusive of taxes)   Burrp is owned by Network18 (which also owns Firstpost)